Parenting can be one of the most difficult tasks a person ever has. It doesn’t end when your child turns eighteen, either. We all want what is best for our children but realize that after a certain age, we can only hope the lessons we have taught stick with our children. We no longer have control, but that doesn’t change our tendency to worry. If our child makes poor choices and turns to alcohol or drugs, we can fall into depression and blame ourselves. Addiction isn’t an individual disorder, and it is a family one because the entire family is affected when one member is suffering. This is why parents often need to learn coping skills during group therapy activities Portland OR residents can get help with learning these. Let’s take a look at some coping skills for parents.
Coping Skills Include Getting Support
People may understand the concept of how being a parent of a child in need, but only other parents in the same position can fully understand the depth of feelings. Often these feelings include unnecessary guilt, grief, and confusion. Coping skills for parents are necessary to help deal with these emotions. Group therapy is an excellent way to do this if it is something that you are willing to try. The other parents in the group can be a source of support and understanding. The sessions are a place where you aren’t judged and can learn not to judge yourself for the choices your child made.
Education Helps Coping With Your Childs Addiction
Unless you have dealt with the subject before, addiction may be confusing to you. Someone once said that knowledge is power, and this is true. Coping skills for parents begin with knowing what is happening. Take time to educate yourself and other family members on the subject of addiction. Learn what it does to the person dealing with the physical addiction and learn how it changes those who love that person. Find out what you and your loved one will be facing once the recovery process has begun. When you fully understand these things, you will be able to feel more in control of the entire situation. This, in turn, will help you be better support for your child.
Other Coping Skills For Parents
In addition to learning and gaining support, you need time to concentrate on being the best person you can be. Try:
- Going to individual counseling
- Take up a hobby that helps you focus and relax
- Think about all the things you have done right as a parent and know you do not have to give in to guilt because your child had free will to make their own choices.
- Spend time with other family members and make new, positive memories to hold onto.
- Realize that your child is still the same lovable person you raised. They are not their addiction, and they love you just as they always have. They’ve just got side-tracked.
The healthier you are, the healthier your relationship will be with your loved one. Parenting is difficult, but it is also a rewarding endeavor. Addiction may seem like something that has destroyed your family, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Given time, support, and effort, you can once again be a loving family.
Crestview Recovery is Here to Help
At Crestview Recovery, we are fully aware of how important a role family plays in a successful recovery. We offer Family Counseling among our other services. This means we not only help teach coping skills for parents but also help improve family dynamics so that members can be there for each other and their loved ones. If you or a loved one is facing an addiction, contact us now to see if we are right to meet your needs. 866.262.0531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
